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What is “The Astronaut’s Secret”?

"The Astronaut's Secret" will be a 30 minute documentary about the life of Astronaut Rich Clifford. It will uncover how he and NASA kept his Parkinson’s Disease a secret for 17 years, explore the impact of the end of the Shuttle Program on Rich’s life, and follow him as he speaks nationwide about the importance of Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease.

Why are you doing this project?

This project came to me by way of my dad, Dr. Joseph Jankovic. He’s the neurologist that diagnosed Rich back in 1994 and has been crucial in Rich's decision to go public about his disease.

When I was young I would see my dad’s patient videos and developed an interest in Parkinson’s Disease at a young age. However, I followed my passion for film and studied documentary filmmaking at The University of Colorado at Boulder.

Growing up in Houston, TX, NASA Astronauts were always considered the best of the best. So when I heard about Rich’s story I knew I had to go after it. I contacted Rich and went to dinner with him and his wife, Nancy. That night I told Rich what I wanted to do, he took a look at Nancy, looked back at me, and said, “You’re the man for the job.” And we were off and running

And both Bob Cabana (Director of the Kennedy Space Center / former crewmate on Rich's first mission) and Gen Petraeus (Director of the CIA / Rich's Roommate at WestPoint) have agreed to interviews.

REWARD PACKAGES

The Discovery Package

HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF FINAL FILM

Special Thanks on the Film’s Website

Subscription to Update Page

Digital Download of Film Poster

Digital Download of Film Score,

Endeavour Package

DVD of Final Film

Special Thanks on the Film’s Website

Subscription to update page

Digital Download of Final Film

Digital Download of Film Poster

Digital Download of Film Score

Signed Photo of Rich

Atlantis Package

Blu-Ray of Final Film

Special Thanks on the Film’s Website

Subscription to Update Page

Digital Download of Final Film

Digital Download of Film Poster

Digital Download of Film Score

Signed Photo of Rich

Astronaut Package

Blu-Ray of Final Film

Special Thanks at the End of Film

Subscription to Update Page

Digital Download of Final Film

Digital Download of Film Poster

Digital Download of Film Score

Signed Photo of Rich

The Astronaut’s Secret Special Edition T-Shirt (TBD, To Be Designed)

16x25 Matted Photograph of a Shuttle Launch

Inspiration Package

Invitation to the Film Premiere

5 Blu-Ray Copies of the Final Film

Executive Producer Credit on the Film

Subscription to Update Page

Digital Download of Final Film

5 Full Size Print Outs of the Film Poster (1 Signed by Director and Rich)

Digital Download of Film Score

5 Signed Pictures of Rich

5 The Astronaut’s Secret Special Edition T-Shirts

VERY RARE Space Shuttle Program Commemorative Coin (flown on the final space shuttle)

Private Screening of the Film with Rich and Director, and Dinner with Rich and Director.)

When will I get my reward?

It’s my goal to get the rewards out as early as April 2012 but to be safe let’s just say June 2012. For those of you pledging for anything that requires scheduling I will contact you via email shortly after the end of the Kickstarter Campaign to discuss arrangements.

Is “The Astronaut’s Secret” a non-profit?

Unfortunately this film is not set up as a non-profit. Donations are raw gifts. Non-tax deductible.

Where does the money go?

With the funding received from Kickstarter will allow me to continue filming with Rich as he travels the country speaking about his life as an astronaut and the importance of early detection.

I will be able to travel to Washington DC to film an interview with Gen. Petraeus and to Florida to film an interview with Bob Cabana.

I will be able to pay for graphics that clearly explain what Parkinson’s Disease is and how it affects the brain.

And then we will be able to edit this into an entertaining and informative documentary that will be available in April 2012 for Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Where will I be able to see this?

It is my hope that this film will be selected for film festivals worldwide and will be screened on your local PBS Station (a letter of interest has already been received). And then finally the film will be made available in DVD/Blu-Ray and Digital Download.

The Overall Purpose of the Film?

Rich’s story will serve as inspiration to all the people out there that have been affected in one way or another by Parkinson’s. It is my hope that Rich will be seen along side Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox as a great spokesperson for Parkinson's Awareness.

If you have any other questions

Contact Zach@CutToCreate.com

FAQ

Have a question?
If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.

Rewards

Pledge $1 or more

Pledge $15 or more

The Discovery Package: HD Digital Download of the Final Film, Special thanks on the Film’s Website, Subscription to Update Page, Digital Download of Film Poster, Digital Download of Film Score

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $25 or more

27 backers

The Discovery Package and a Signed Photo of Rich

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

22 backers

Endeavour Package: DVD of Final Film, Special Thanks on the Film’s Website, Subscription to update page, Digital Download of Final Film, Digital Download of Film Poster, Digital Download of Film Score, Signed Photo of Rich

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $75 or more

4 backers

Atlantis Package: Blu-Ray of Final Film, Special Thanks on the Film’s Website, Subscription to Update Page, Digital Download of Final Film, Digital Download of Film Poster, Digital Download of Film Score, Signed Photo of Rich

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

20 backers

Endeavour Package and The Astronaut’s Secret Special Edition T-Shirt

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $125 or more

3 backers

Atlantis Package and The Astronaut’s Secret Special Edition T-Shirt.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

12 backers

Astronaut Package: Blu-Ray of Final Film, Special Thanks at the End of Film, Subscription to Update Page, Digital Download of Final Film, Digital Download of Film Poster, Digital Download of Film Score, Signed Picture of Rich, The Astronaut’s Secret Special Edition T-Shirt, 16x25 Matted Photograph of Shuttle Launch

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

6 backers
Limited (4 left of 10)

Astronaut Package and a poster of either the Endeavour or Discovery Space Shuttle

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

1 backer
Limited (49 left of 50)

Astronaut Package and a signed copy of the DVD by Rich Clifford

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $750 or more

1 backer
Limited (9 left of 10)

Astronaut Package and a signed copy of Dr. Jankovic's Latest Book.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $750 or more

0 backers
Limited (10 left of 10)

Astronaut Package and a 20 minute Skype conversation with Rich and the Director.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

1 backer
Limited (49 left of 50)

Astronaut Package, a signed copy of the full size poster, STS-76 Mission Picture signed by the whole crew

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $1,500 or more

2 backers
Limited (8 left of 10)

Astronaut Package, a signed copy of the full size poster, STS-76 Mission Picture signed by the whole crew, Invitation to the film premiere. (Location and Date TBD)

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $3,000 or more

1 backer
Limited (4 left of 5)

Let's Play Golf! (A golf outing with Rich and the Director in Houston, TX), Astronaut Package, a signed copy of the full size poster, STS-76 Mission Picture signed by the whole crew, Invitation to the film premiere. (Location and Date TBD)

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $3,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

Let's Eat! (Dinner with Rich and the Director in Houston, TX), Astronaut Package, a signed copy of the full size poster, STS-76 Mission Picture signed by the whole crew, Invitation to the film premiere (Location and Date TBD)

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

A Day with Rich! (A round of Golf with Rich and Director, Lunch or Dinner with Rich and Director, A Private Screening with Rich and Director in Houston, TX or near you if all travel expenses are covered), Astronaut Package, a signed copy of the full size poster, STS-76 Mission Picture signed by the whole crew, Invitation to the film premiere. (Location and Date TBD)

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

Rich will come to your town (anywhere in the US) and give a speech about life as an Astronaut and living with Parkinson's Disease. Zach will be there too filming and there a good chance you might see this footage in the final film. Plus, The Astronaut Package.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $7,500 or more

0 backers
Limited (3 left of 3)

Inspiration Package: Invitation to the Film Premiere, 5 Blu-Ray Copies of the Final Film, Executive Producer Credit on the Film, Subscription to Update Page, Digital Download of Final Film, 5 Full Size Print Outs of the Film Poster (1 Signed by Director and Rich), Digital Download of Film Score, 5 Signed Pictures of Rich, 5 The Astronaut’s Secret Special Edition T-Shirts, A VERY RARE Space Shuttle Program Commemorative Coin (flown on the final space shuttle), A Private Screening of the Film with Rich and Director, and Dinner with Rich and Director.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $7,500 or more

0 backers
Limited (10 left of 10)

Corporate/Organization Package: Your Company or Organization's Logo at the end of the film in the Very Special Thanks Section, 5 invitations to the film premiere, 10 Blu-Ray Copies of the Film, A "Thank You" to your organization on "The Astronaut's Secret" Facebook Page, Subscription to Update Page, Digital Download of Final Film, 5 Full Size Print Outs of the Film Poster (1 Signed by Director and Rich), Digital Download of Film Score, 10 Signed Pictures of Rich, 10 The Astronaut’s Secret Special Edition T-Shirts

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

Inspiration Package, Your Company or Organization's Logo at the end of the film in the Very Special Thanks Section, and a 3 minute film made by the Director about you or your company.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

Funding period

Oct 1, 2011 - Nov 18, 2011
(48 days)

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